The Past and the Present Condition, and the Destiny, of the Colored Race:: A Discourse Delivered at the Fifteenth Anniversary of the Female Benevolent Society of Troy, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1848Garnet, Henry Highland
History
The Past and the Present Condition, and the Destiny, of the Colored Race:: A Discourse Delivered at the Fifteenth Anniversary of the Female Benevolent Society of Troy, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1848
Garnet, Henry Highland
African Americans; United States -- Race relations
_This western world is destined to be filled with a mixed race._
Statesmen, distinguished for their forecast, have gravely said that
the blacks must either be removed, or such as I have stated will be
the result. It is a stubborn fact, that it is impossible to separate
the pale man and the man of color, and therefore the result which to
them is so fearful, is inevitable. All this the wiser portion of the
Colonizationists see, and they labor to hinder it. It matters not
whether we abhor or desire such a consummation, it is now too late
to change the decree of nature and circumstances. As well might we
attempt to shake the Alleghanies with our hands, or to burst the rock
of Gibralter with our fists. If the colored people should all consent
to leave this country, on the day of their departure there would be
sore lamentations, the like of which the world has not heard since
Rachel wept for her children, and would not be comforted, because they
were not. We would insist upon taking all who have our generous and
prolific blood in their veins. In such an event, the American church
and state would be bereaved. The Reverend Francis L. Hawks, D. D., of
the Protestant Episcopal Church, a man who is receiving the largest
salary of any divine in the country, would be called upon to make
the sacrifice of leaving a good living, and to share the fate of his
brethren according to the flesh. The Reverend Dr. Murphy, of Herkimer,
N. Y., a Presbyterian, would be compelled to leave his beloved flock;
and how could they endure the loss of a shepherd so eloquent, so
faithful and so kind. We should be burdened with that _renegade
negro_ of the United States Senate, Mr. YULEE, of Florida. We should
take _one_ of the wives of Senator Samuel Houston. The consort,--the
beautiful Cleopatra of his Excellency, R. M. Johnson, late Democratic
Vice President of this great nation,--would be the foremost in the vast
company of exiles. After we all should return to tread the golden sands
of AFRICA, whether we would add to the morality of our kindred across
the deep waters future generations would decide. One thing I am certain
of, and that is, many of the slaveholders and lynchers of the South are
not very moral now. Our cousins of the tribe of Shem are welcome to our
deserters. If they are enriched by them they may be assured that we are
not impoverished.
On the other continent, the destiny of the colored people will
be similar to that of the people among whom they are scattered.
Colorphobia is confined almost entirely to the United States and the
Canadas. We speak of prejudice against color, but in fact, nothing of
the kind exists. The prejudice is against the condition alone. Were not
this the case the American feeling would pervade the whole earth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account